, soft and musical, might have been that of a
young woman, and its vivacity was only less than that which marked the
speech of her son.

"Come and look at the orange lilies," were her first words, after the
greeting. "They've never been so fine."

"But notice Pompey first," said Jane. "He'll be offended in a minute."

A St. Bernard, who had already made such advances as his dignity
permitted, stood close by Will, with eyes fixed upon him in grave and
surprised reproach. The dog's name indicated a historical preference of
Jane in her childhood; she had always championed Pompey against Caesar,
following therein her brother's guidance.

"Hallo, old Magnus!" cried the visitor, cordially repairing his
omission. "Come along with us and see the lilies."

It was only when all the sights of the little garden had been visited,
Mrs. Warburton forgetting her weakness as she drew Will hither and
thither, that the business for which they had met came under
discussion. Discussion, indeed, it could hardly be called, for the
mother and sister were quite content to listen whilst Will talked, and
accept his view of things. Small as their income was, they never
thought of themselves as poor; with one maid-servant and the occasional
help of a gardener, they had all the comfort they wished for, and were
able to bestow of their superfluity in vegetables and flowers upon less
fortunate acquaintances. Until a year or two ago, Mrs. Warburton had
led a life of ceaseless activity, indoors and out; such was the habit
of her daughter, who enjoyed vigorous health, and cared little for
sedentary pursuits and amusements. Their property, land and cottages
hard by, had of late given them a good deal of trouble, and the
proposal to sell had more than once been considered, but Mr. Turnbull,
most cautious of counsellors, urged delay. Now, at length, the
hoped-for opportunity of a good investment seemed to have presented
itself; Will's sanguine report of what he had learnt from Sherwood was
gladly accepted.

"It'll be a good thing for you as well," said Jane. "Yes, it comes just
in time. Sherwood knew what he was doing; now and then I've thought he
was risking too much, but he's a clear-headed fellow. The way he has
kept things going so long in Ailie Street is really remarkable."

"I daresay you had your share in that, Will," said Mrs. Warburton.

"A very small one; my work has never been more than routine. I don't
pretend to be a man of business. I